Soft Modeling of the Photovoltaic Modules Based on MATLAB/Simulink

The present study used MATLAB programing to implement five-parameter single-diode model (SDM) photovoltaic (PV) modules in the MATLAB/Simulink using the manufacturer's datasheet information. In this proposed algorithm, all the five unknown parameters of the SDM are evaluated without assuming an arbitrary constant value of the diode ideality factor, while computing the series and shunt resistances simultaneously. MATLAB_R2020a version was used for the implementation. The modules were implemented through the I-V equation parameters estimation of the SDM from the manufacturer's datasheet. The performance of different PV module technologies implemented was evaluated at standard test conditions (STC). The I-V and P-V curves characteristics of the developed models were analyzed. The models were further analyzed under various test conditions. Models validation was performed by comparing the results obtained with that of selected in-built PV models. Different factors affecting the modules' performance were also evaluated. Finally, a Simulink model of the PV module was also developed for easy to use with any circuit simulator. The proposed modeling technique meets the key features of minimal differences between the modeled and actual measurements data, most especially at the maximum power points, while exhibiting a fast convergence with good precision. It also proved to have improved the results obtained in previous studies, which employed similar approaches but with many initial guess values.